The latest edition of Meet the Press included a touching moment when host Chuck Todd and guests responded to hearing Senator John McCain‘s (R- Ariz.) voice reading a just-released clip of his new audio version of his new book, The Restless Wave: Good Times, Just Causes, Great Fights, and other Appreciations.

“Before we go, we heard from somebody we haven’t heard from in a long time, meaning John McCain,” Todd said. “I want to just play the excerpt that they released from the audio of his new book.”

McCain’s voice is then heard reading from his memoir.

I don’t know how much longer I’ll be here. Maybe I’ll have another five years. Maybe with the advances in oncology, they’ll find new treatments for my cancer. They’ll extend my life. Maybe I’ll be gone before you hear this. I’d like to see us recover our sense that we are more alike than different. We’re citizens of a republic made of shared ideals, forged in a new world to replace the tribal enmities that tormented the old one. Even in times of political turmoil such as these, we share that awesome heritage and the responsibility to embrace it.

After the audio played, Todd said he felt McCain, who is battling an aggressive form of brain cancer, set an “optimistic” tone.

Guest Danielle Pletka agreed, noting while the phrase is overused, “John McCain really is a great American.”

Journalist Robert Costa then added, “The guy does not quit. It’s inspiring.”